Are you heading out of town for a business meeting? A seminar or workshop, perhaps? Chuck the old ribbon around your pinky finger trick and feast your eyes on these business travel tips from SME Insight.

Itineraries
Be sure to leave a copy of your itinerary both at your home and at the office. This will come in handy if circumstances arise where you will need to be reached by someone from home.

Backup Travel Documents
Make sure to keep copies of your passport, visa, and other travel documents with you and with someone you trust back home. This will ensure that you won’t be left stranded in a foreign place without any means of identification.

Carry Emergency Telephone Numbers
Keep an updated list of emergency contact with you at all times and in multiple locations, such as your wallet, purse, or briefcase.

Luggage Safety
Label your bags with your name, home address, destination address, and phone number. Also note the content of each luggage so you won’t have a hard time packing for the return trip.

Hotel Bookings
Book your hotel room as early as possible to ensure room availability. Be precise about the name and location of the hotel, as some hotel chains have multiple locations in a single city.

Recording of Expenses
It would be easier to jot down expenses incurred using a travel expense sheet rather than trying to recall times, costs and mileage used. You’ll need the sheet if you want to have your business travel expenses reimbursed.

International Safety
Before traveling to another country, learn something about the culture and customs of the people there. This will help ensure that your visit will be peaceful and hassle-free.

For more business tips, check out SME Insight’s The Right Stuff.